Member Profile
Jonathan Hilliard KC
KC | Wilberforce Chambers
Office Location: Bermuda
Jurisdiction
Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, England and Wales, Guernsey, Hong Kong SAR, Isle of Man, Jersey
Top Specialisms
Dispute Resolution or Arbitration
Family and Matrimonial
Trusts: Contentious
Connect
Professional Biography
Jonathan has a broad international trusts practice, with a particular love of solving complex problems and litigating over complex trust structures in all contexts. Over recent years, a significant proportion of his work has concerned attacking and defending complex offshore structures, and advisory work relating to this. Most recently, he appeared successfully on appeal before the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in the first case on Quistclose trusts before that Court, China Life Trustees Ltd (judgment 14 June 2024). Jonathan was shortlisted for ‘Chancery Silk of the Year’ at the Chambers & Partners 2021 UK Bar Awards and at the Legal 500 2023 UK Bar awards. He is consistently ranked in the directories for trusts, trusts and divorce, offshore and fraud work, Chambers 2025 describing him as “an extraordinary force” who “possesses unique qualities that are unrivalled”; “[h]e sees angles that others don’t see and is always five steps ahead”.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: A love of solving complex problems and the fascinating clients.
Question : For lawyers entering private client law, what are key skills you think are essential?
Answer: Finding elegant solutions, being prepared to fight to reach them, and explaining complex concepts simply.
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: How to deal with the transfer of wealth between generations
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Scarfes Bar